Drew McIntyre has a message for the fans who stopped believing in him during 2025 — and it isn't a warm one.
Speaking with Shakiel Mahjouri on SHAK Wrestling at the WWE 2K26 hands-on event, the Undisputed WWE Champion reflected on the low points of his journey and drew a sharp line between those who stuck with him and those who bailed.
Thank you for keeping the faith. A lot of people checked out — and wonder why I say I don't want your cheers? Y'all stopped believing. Y'all moved on. Especially in 2025 when things weren't looking too good after such a banger year in 2024. People were like, 'Oh, Drew's just never going to win the big one. I guess I'm going to move on.' I don't forget.
The Championship Mentality: No Days Off
For McIntyre, wavering even for a single day wasn't an option. He broke down the math of competing on a roster full of title-hungry performers.
You take one day and you lose focus. You get one day you stop believing in yourself, you stop working hard — everyone else on the roster wants this title. So I was never going to stop till I got it.
That mentality kept McIntyre from falling into a trap he's watched swallow other careers — the "talented bridesmaid" role that becomes a permanent identity.
I've seen superstars historically get pigeonholed in a certain place — it's a great place, amazing to be in WWE elevating everybody around you, the very talented bridesmaid — but no, not for McIntyre. I know what I'm capable of. I know what I offer. I know the reactions I get before I even say a word when I walk down the street.
Correcting the Record on Jacob Fatu
McIntyre also pushed back on the narrative that Jacob Fatu's interference at Crown Jewel was somehow responsible for him winning the title. Fatu himself had suggested Drew was "halfway out the door" before he arrived — and McIntyre won't let that framing stand.
A few people were saying, 'Oh, it's because of Jacob.' I never said this — Jacob said this. Drew was halfway out the door. He said it to Cody when I got there. I didn't just overcome Cody Rhodes. I overcame Cody Rhodes and Jacob Fatu to win this title.
'The Last Good Guy in WWE'
Finally, McIntyre addressed his unusual position in a WWE landscape where clear babyfaces are rare. His argument: he isn't the bad guy, and he can prove it.
I'm not the bad guy. I'm the last good guy in WWE. And if you try to argue with me, debate me, you'll lose. I explain why I'm the way I am, what's happened to me, the PTSD I've suffered. Would you not do the same thing? And every single person: yes. The last good guy.
McIntyre spent much of 2025 as the most combustible presence on SmackDown, a year of near-misses and simmering frustration that ultimately produced one of the more emotionally satisfying title wins in recent memory. Whether fans accept his "last good guy" label or not, he's the one holding the title.
